Injection molding nozzle

An injection molding apparatus comprising:

• a manifold having at least one manifold melt channel therethrough;
• a mold plate defining a gate for transmitting a melt flow to a mold cavity;
• at least one nozzle comprising
• a nozzle body having a nozzle melt channel in communication with the manifold melt channel,
• a nozzle tip including a substantially conical forward portion having a terminal end that is aligned with and spatially offset a predetermined distance “d” from the gate under operating conditions, the nozzle tip defining a central melt channel having a diverted melt channel end portion with a discharge opening that is located rearward of the terminal end for discharging the melt flow received from the nozzle melt channel towards the gate, and
• a thermally insulative tip retainer for securing the nozzle tip to the nozzle body, wherein the tip retainer includes an annular sealing surface that contacts the mold plate,
• wherein the predetermined distance “d” that the terminal end of the nozzle tip is set back from the gate creates a temperature gradient in the melt flow that permits the formation of a melt plug at the gate at the completion of an injection cycle to thereby permit a shearing separation of a molded part from the melt plug when the molded part is ejected at the end of the injection cycle.